Headgate apparatus



June 4, 1963 R. T. JACOBS 4 HEADGATE APPARATUS Filed April 6, 1961ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,691,934 EEADGATE APPARATUS Ray T.Jacobs, Rte. 3, Box 22%, Idaho Falls, Idaho Filed Apr. 6, 1961, Ser. No.101,121 6 Claims. (Cl. 61-29) The present invention relates to new andnovel headgate apparatus, and more particularly to headgate apparatusemploying a unique flexible and water-proof closure means.

The headgate apparatus of the present invention is particularly designedfor use in conventional irrigating ditches or canals and the like.

It is particularly designed to provide a simplified structure which canbe easily operated and additionally which is adapted to be readilyinstalled by an individual.

Headgate apparatus according to the present invention can either beemployed as extending transversely in spanning relation to the ditch soas to serve as a dam, or it may as well be employed in the side wallportion of the ditch to let water out of the side as desired.

In the prior art, the flow of water in irrigation ditches and the likehas been controlled by means of dirt dams, canvas dams, siphon tubes andsliding headgates. The sliding headgates would be the most desirablemeans because of the easeof operation thereof, but these mechanismsgenerally are subject to undesirable leakage. The present invention hasall the advantages of the sliding headgate in so far as ease ofoperation is concerned, but the arrangement of the present inventionpositively prevents any leakage.

The present invention incorporates a light-weight main body portion orframework defining a centnal opening therethrough. Plate means isprovided adjacent one end of the framework, this plate means extendingdownwardly and outwardly of the main framework whereby the plate meansis received within the surrounding wall portions of the ditch to serveas a means for positively preventing leakage around the framework.

This lightweight framework can be readily handled by an individual, andthe apparatus may be readily installed in a ditch simply by placing theframework in spanning position within the ditch, and forcing the platemeans into the surrounding walls. The plate means may either be driveninto the side walls in a case where the earth may be relatively soft, oropenings may be firstly dug out for receiving the plate portionswhereupon the earth may be subsequently packed about the plate portionsfor ensuring that there wi l be no leakage thcrearound.

The closure means for the framework comprises an integral flexiblewater-proof sheet of material which is sealed with respect to the bodyportion and which is adapt ed to be folded up into a closed positionwherein the major portion of the opening through the framework isclosed. This water-proof flexible sheet of material prevents any leakagethrough the opening in the framework when in closed position, andaccordingly, the device provides an effective barrier to any liquid inthe ditch.

The folding arrangement of the flexible sheet of material due to theprovision of flap portions thereon permits quick, easy and simpleopening and closing of the opening since it is only necessary to foldthese flap portions relative to one another to open or close the device.This, of course, may be manually accomplished in a most effective mannerwithout the necessity of providing any sort of hand wheels, levers orother mechanism, thereby ensuring that opening and closing operationswill be absolutely foolproof.

In addition, the folding arrangement of the closure means incorporates abottom flap which pivots downwardly from the front portion of theframework adjacent to the opening therethrough. With this arrangement,the

3,991,934 Patented June 4, 1963 2 size of the stream passing through theopening in the framework can be adjusted simply by controlling theangular position of the bottom flap portion with respect to the mainbody portion.

The angular position of the bottom flap portion can be controlled in afacile manner by merely placing boards or other chock means underneaththe bottom flap portion, this chock means being wedged between thebottom of the ditch and the under surface of the bottom flap portionwhen it is in its open position.

A. further means of controlling the size of the stream passing throughthe opening in the framework may comprise a board inserted within theframework of the apparatus in spanning relationship between the sidewalls thereof for closing off a portion of the opening.

An object of the present invention is to provide new and novel headgateapparatus which is of light-weight construction and which may be readilyinstalled in operative position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of headgate apparatuswhich positively prevents leakage when in closed position.

A further object of the invention is to provide headgate appaartus whichmay be quickly and easily opened or closed.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of headgateapparatus which permits ready adjustment of the size of the streampassing therethrough when in open position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide headgate apparatuswhich is quite simple and inexpensive in construction and yet which issturdy and reliable in operaiton.

Other objects and many attendant advantages of the invention will becomemore apparent when considered in connection with the specification andaccompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view partly broken away illustrating anirrigation ditch or the like as seen from above with the headgateapparatus of the present invention operatively positioned therein and inits open position;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in itsclosed position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the headgate apparatus in a similarrelation as shown in FIG. 2 with the apparatus in a partly openposition;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken along line 44 of FIG. 3 looking inthe direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 5 is a rear elevation of the headgate apparatus.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference charactersdesignate corresponding parts throughout the everal views, theirrigation ditch shown in FIG. 1 includes a bottom wall portion 1t? anda pair of side wall portions 11 and 12. The body means of the headgateapparatus is adapted to fit relatively snugly within the surroundingWalls of the ditch, and accordingly, spans the ditch and serves to forman effective dam therewithin as shown in this modification. Of course,as pointed out previously, the headgate apparatus may also be mounted inone of the side walls of the ditch if desired.

The main "body portion which is indicated generally by the referencenumeral 15 comprises a rectangular framework defined by a top member 16,a pair of side members 17 and 18, and a bottom frame member =19. Theseframe members may, of course, be connected with one another in anydesired manner such as by means of nails and the like in the case wherethe frame members are formed of wood. It will be understood that theframe members may also be formed of a metal such as iron or aluminum ifdesired and suitably connected together. In any event, the frame membersare preferably so connected to one another as to form a water-tight seal-metal or plastic material.

therebetween. In .the case of wood frame members asphalt may be placedin the joints between the frame members to ensure such a water-proofseal.

It will be understood that the outer faces of side members 17 and 18 ofthe framework are seated against the side walls 11 and 12 respectivelyof the ditch, while the bottom member 19 of the framework is seated onthe bottom wall of the ditch. In order to additionally ensure that noleakage can possibly occur around the main body portion, plate means 25is provided. This plate means has an opening 26 formed therethroughwhich is of a similar dimension to the central opening defined throughthe framework. The plate means is suitably secured as by means of screwsor the like to the framework and the plate means can be made of wood, Itwill be noted that plate means 25 includes a downwardly projectingportion 27 which extends below the framework and portions 28 and 29 ofthe plate means project laterally outwardly from opposite side portionsof the framework.

As seen most clearly in FIG. 2, these outwardly projecting portions 27,28 and 29 of the plate means are received within the surrounding wallsof the ditch, and accordingly, the plate means'positively preventsleakage around the framework. 7

The closure means disposed at the opposite end of the main body portionfrom the plate means 25 includes an integral flexible water-proof sheetof material indicated generally by reference numeral 35. In a typicalexample, the closure means may be formed of a fabric such as neopreneimpregnated nylon canvas. This particular material permits the closuremeans to be readily folded into the open and closed positions and yet iscompletely water-proof and has good wearing qualities. Other rubberizedfabrics or flexible sheets with waterproof characteristics may beemployed for this purpose.

As seen in FIG. 4, the inner portion 36 of the flexible sheet ofmaterial is clamped in place within the main body portion. For thispurpose and as seen more clearly in FIG. 1, three inner frame members40, 41 land 42 are employed. Inner frame members 40 and 42 serve toclamp the vertically extending portions of the closure means against theside members 17 and 18 of the main body portion while inner frame member41 serves to clamp the horizontally extending portion of the closuremeans against the bottom member 19 of the main body portion. These framemembers 40*, 41 and 42 may be maintained in operative position as shownby suitable screws and the like.

To additionally ensure that the closure means will be sealed in awater-proof manner with respect to the side members 17 and 18 and thebottom member 19 of the framework, a suitable sealing means may beemployed between the sheet of material of the closure means and theinner faces of members 17, 18 and 19. For this purpose, for example,asphalt or similar material may be disposed between these surfaces.

The portion of the closure means extending outwardly from the main bodyportion defines a pair of side flap portions indicated by referencenumerals 50 and 51, these side flap portions being joined with a bottomflap portion being indicated by reference numeral 52. Reinforcing meansis provided for the bottom flap portion in the form of a rectangularsheet 53 of relatively rigid material such as wood, plastic or the likesuitably secured as by gluing to the outer surface of the bottom flapportion. In addition, a rigidifying framework is provided on the innersurface of the bottom flap portion 52, this rigidifying rectangularframework being indicated by reference numeral 54 and havingsubstantially the same outer dimensions as the member 53. Rectangularframework 54 may also be retained in operative position as by screws orthe like.

By so reinforcing and rigidifying the bottom flap portion, it is easierto manipulate the closure means into its t open and closed positions,and in addition, the flap portions are clearly defined and the foldingaction thereof is more or less automatic upon pivoting of the bottomflap portion between its open and closed positions.

The closure means is shown in its completely open position as seen inFIG. 1, and as discussed previously, the size of the stream flowingthrough the opening in the framework can be adjusted by inserting boardsor other chock means between the bottom Wall 1b of the ditch and theunder side of the reinforcing member 53 on the bottom flap portion.

As mentioned previously, the size of the stream flowing through theopening in the framework can also be adjusted by inserting :a board orsimilar member within the framework in spanning relationship between theside walls 17 and 18 thereof. This cross-piece may be b'ut'ted upagainst members 40, 41 and 42 and will be held in position by thepressure of the fluid thereagainst.

Assuming that the closure means shown in FIG. 1 is desired to be movedinto the closed position a person will reach down and grasp the bottomflap portion and pivot it upwardly toward its closed position. Theapparatus is shown in an intermediate position in FIGS. 3

, and 4 and as seen particularly in FIG. 4, the bottom flap portion willtend to pivot along a line indicated by reference numeral 57, this lineextending substantially horizontally with the adjacent front face of themain body portion.

As seen in FIG. 3, the two side flap portions 50 and 51 are adapted todouble up upon themselves and fold about lines indicated by referencenumerals 60 and 6 1. These lines 6t? and 61 have also been shown in FIG.1 to clearly illustrate the manner in which the side flap portions tendto fold up upon pivoting movement of the bottom flap portion. In thisconnection, it should be noted that the side flap portions can either becaused to fold outwardly toward the side walls 11 or 12 of the ditch orthey can also be caused to fold inwardly away from the adjacent sidewalls of the ditch. It is considered preferable at the present time thatthe side flap portions fold outwardly as shown in FIG. 3.

When the bottom flap portion has been pivoted into a substantiallyvertical position as shown in the closed position of FIG. 2, the sideflap pontions may then be folded up against the outer surface of thereinforcing member 53 into the final closed position as seen in FIG. 2.

Fastening means is provided for retaining the closure means in its finalclosed position, and for this purpose, a pair of loops of rope orsimilar material 65 and 66 are passed through suitable openings providedin the apex portions 67 and 68 respectively of the side flap portionswhen they are in their closed position shown in FIG. 2. These loops 65and 66 are looped over a hook 70 which extends outwardly fromreinforcing member 53. Accordingly, the side flap portions are retainedin their closed position by the fastening means.

In addition, a hook 72 extends outwardly from the outer face of theupper member 16 of the main body portion. A loop 73 of rope or similarmaterial is con nected between the hooks 7t and 72 for retaining thebottom fi-ap portion in vertical position with respect to the main bodyportion. Accordingly, it is apparent that the loops 65, 66 and 73 retainthe closure means in its operative closed position as seen in FIG. 2.

Of course, when it is desired to reopen the apparatus, the loop 73 canbe unhooked from hook 7t? and loops 65 and 66 also unhooked from hook 70whereupon the bottom portion may be pivoted downwardly to open thedevice as seen in FIG. 1.

It is apparent from the foregoing that there is provided new and novelheadgate apparatus which is of lightweight construction and which isquite easy to install in position relative to a ditch and the like.

It is evident that when the flap portions of the closure means have beenfolded into the closed position shown in FIG. 2, no leakage can occuraround the closure means and further as illustrated in FIG. 2, the waterlevel indicated by reference numeral 75 is below the upper edge of thefolded closure means such that no leakage can occur over top of theclosure means. The device may be quickly and easily opened and closedmerely by pivoting the bottom flap means as described, and further thesize of the stream passing through the device may be readily adjusted bycontrolling the angular position of the bottom flap as by insertingchock means between the bottom wall of the ditch and the outer or undersurface of the bottom flap portion, or by placing a cross-member withinthe framework so as to block off a portion of the opening. The device isquite simple and inexpensive in construction, and yet is quite sturdyand reliable in operation.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the presentembodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, and since thescope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, all changesthat fall within the metes and bounds of the claims or that form theirfunctional as well as conjointly cooperative equivalents are thereforeintended to be embraced by those claims.

I claim:

1. Headgate apparatus comprising a main body portion including asubstantially rigid rectangular framework defining a central openingtherethrough, said framework being adapted to span an associated ditchor the like, closure means supported by said main body portion andsealed with respect thereto for closing at least a portion of saidopening, said closure means comprising an integral sheet of flexiblewater-proof material, inner frame members engaging said sheet ofmaterial for clamping the sheet of material in position relative to saidmain body portion, the part of said sheet of material extendingoutwardly of said main body portion defining a bottom flap portion and apair of side flap portions joined with said bottom flap portion,reinforcing means connected to said bottom flap portion for rigidifyingthe bottom flap portion, a fastening means connected to each of saidside fia-p portions for securing the side flap portions in operativeclosed position relative to said bottom fiap portion with the side flapportions disposed at the side of the bottom flap portion remote fromsaid framework, and fastening means on said main body portion and saidreinforced bottom flap portion for maintaining the bottom flap portionin operative position relative to said main body portion.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, including plate means connected tosaid main body portion at the end thereof remote from the end with whichthe closure means is connected, said plate means including a portionprojecting downwardly from said main body portion and a pair of portionsextending laterally outwardly in opposite directions from the sideportions of said main body portion, said plate means being adapted tofit within the surrounding walls of a ditch and the like for preventingleakage around the outside of said framework.

3. Headgate apparatus comprising a main body portion including asubstantially rigid rectangular framework defining a central openingtherethrough, said framework being adapted to span an associated ditchor the like, closure means supported by said main body portion andsealed with respect thereto for closing at least a portion of saidopening, said closure means comprising an integral sheet of flexiblewater-proof material, inner frame members engaging said sheet ofmaterial for clamping the sheet of material in position relative to saidmain body portion, the part of said sheet of material extendingoutwardly of said main body portion defining a bottom flap portion and apair of side flap portions joined with said bottom flap portion, saidbottom flap portion being foldable along a line extending substantiallyparallel with the adjacent face of said main body portion, said sideflaps being foldable along lines extending angularly with respect tosaid face, reinforcing means connected to said bottom flap portion forrigidifying the bottom flap portion, said side flap portions in theirfolded closed position lying at the side of said bottom flap portionremote from said framework, fastening means connected with the apexportions of the side flap portions defined by the side flap portionswhen they are in their closed position for securing the side flapportions in operative closed position relative to said bottom flapportion, and fastening means on said main body portion and saidreinforced bottom fla portion for retaining the bottom flap portion inoperative position relative to the main body portion.

4. Headgate apparatus comprising a main rigid substantially rectangularbody portion having a substantially rectangular opening formedtherethrough, said body portion being adapted to span an associatedditch or the like closure means supported by said body portion andsealed with respect thereto for damming up water substantially to thelevel of the top of the headgate, said closure means being formed of asubstantially rectangular piece of water-proof material, said closuremeans including a substantially rectangular central bottom flap portion,a framework attached to said central bottom flap portion to rigidifysuch portion, said closure means including a substantially rectangularside flap portion disposed at either side of said central bottom flapportion whereby when in closed position said side flap portions arefolded around the edges of said central bottom flap portion with theside flap portions disposed at the side of the bottom flap portionremote from said body portion and with the top edge portions of saidside flap portions adjacent the top of said opening, and fastening meansconnected with said flaps and said body portion for retaining said flapsin said folded position.

5. Headgate apparatus comprising a main body portion having an openingformed therethrough, said body portion being adapted to span anassociated ditch or the like closure means supported by said bodyportion and sealed with respect thereto for damming up watersubstantially to the level of the top of said opening, said closuremeans being formed of a substantially rectangular configuration andhaving a substantially rectangular central bottom flap portion includingrigidifying means, a pair of opposite side flap portions joined withsaid bottom flap portion, each of said side flap portions beingsubstantially recangular in configuration, said bottom flap portionbeing foldable along a line extending substantially parallel with theadjacent face of the main body portion, and said side flap portionsbeing foldable along lines extending angularly with respect to said facewhereby the side flap portions when in closed position are folded aroundthe edges of said central bottom flap portion with the side flapportions disposed at the side of the bottom flap portion remote fromsaid body portion and with the top edge portions of said side flapportions adjacent the top of said opening, and fastening means connectedwith said flaps and said body portion for retaining said flaps in saidfolded position.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said rigidifying means forsaid bottom central flap portion comprises a substantially rectangularrigid framework.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 95,924Molinier Oct. 19, 1869 922,277 G owing May 18, 1909 1,080,944 Baker Dec.9, 1913 2,288,042 Spillrnan June 30, 1942 2,584,364 Osborn Feb. 5, 19522,853,204 Jones Sept. 23, 1958

1. HEADGATE APPARATUS COMPRISING A MAIN BODY PORTION INCLUDING ASUBSTANTIALLY RIGID RECTANGULAR FRAMEWORK DEFINING A CENTRAL OPENINGTHERETHROUGH, SAID FRAMEWORK BEING ADAPTED TO SPAN AN ASSOCIATED DITCHOR THE LIKE, CLOSURE MEANS SUPPORTED BY SAID MAIN BODY PORTION ANDSEALED WITH RESPECT THERETO FOR CLOSING AT LEAST A PORTION OF SAIDOPENING, SAID CLOSURE MEANS COMPRISING AN INTEGRAL SHEET OF FLEXIBLEWATER-PROOF MATERIAL, INNER FRAME MEMBERS ENGAGING SAID SHEET OFMATERIAL FOR CLAMPING THE SHEET OF MATERIAL IN POSITION RELATIVE TO SAIDMAIN BODY PORTION, THE PART OF SAID SHEET OF MATERIAL EXTENDINGOUTWARDLY OF SAID MAIN BODY PORTION DEFINING A BOTTOM FLAP PORTION AND APAIR OF SIDE FLAP PORTIONS JOINED WITH SAID BOTTOM FLAP PORTION,REINFORCING MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID BOTTOM FLAP PORTION FOR RIGIDIFYINGTHE BOTTOM FLAP PORTION, A FASTENING MEANS CONNECTED TO EACH OF SAIDSIDE FLAP PORTIONS FOR SECURING THE SIDE FLAP PORTIONS IN OPERATIVECLOSED POSITION RELATIVE TO SAID BOTTOM FLAP PORTION WITH THE SIDE FLAPPORTIONS DISPOSED AT THE SIDE OF THE BOTTOM FLAP PORTION REMOTE FROMSAID FRAMEWORK, AND FASTENING MEANS ON SAID MAIN BODY PORTION AND SAIDREINFORCED BOTTOM FLAP PORTION FOR MAINTANING THE BOTTOM FLAP PORTION INOPERATIVE POSITION RELATIVE TO SAID MAIN BODY PORTION.